Battle Creek near Red Bluff

This surprisingly good run is located just the other side of the Sacramento river from Redding. The whitewater consists of nearly continuous class II-III rapids and a class IV- rapid, tapering off near the end. Scenery and solitude are good, so it is surprising that this river didn't make it into any guidebook. This run is superior in all respects to Cache Creek and Stony Creek, although further from population centers. Rapids are numerous, water quality is good, playspots are plentiful, and the season is fairly long. Most of the upper 2/3 of the run flows through a fairly narrow gorge cut 10 - 20 meters deep in volcanic rock.

The flow for much of this run is slightly less than as reported at Coleman Fish Hatchery (BAT). The first few miles on the South Fork are about half that. This description was compiled during runs with BAT reporting about 800 cfs. Runs are possible at higher flows, and also at slightly lower flows. Rapids are technical at low flows, with many rough volcanic rocks in the channel, and very bony until the South and North Forks meet. At higher flows, rapids are continuous in places. Approximate mileages given below.

mile
0

Tight rapids on the South Fork, where the flow is usually somewhat skimpy.

One rapid that is tight for rafts	The right bend around mile 1.5

Watch out for a brush-choked drop at a sharp right bend about 1.5 miles down.

The first section among big rocks	Second section over a brushy island

 

It is possible to put in on the North Fork Battle Creek. This fork is subject to diversions, and its trees are closer to the river than on the South Fork. Boaters are sometimes turned back at higher flows. Immediately after the put-in, there is a sharp class III-IV drop, which can be portaged on the left. After this comes a fairly long and busy class IV- rapid that needs to be bank or carefully boat scouted since you cannot see the whole thing from the top. Portaging would not be easy due to steep rock walls. There are a few more class III+ or IV- drops before the creek flattens out above its confluence with the South Fork. Total distance on the North Fork is a little over 1 mile.

2

At the confluence, the flow approximately doubles.

At confluence, looking up the north fork	Scenic falls at a sidestream on the right

3

The river curves left thru a class III+ rapid, and Morgan Creek (? maps disagree) comes in on the left.

4.5

An old broached dam (or bridge) with an extant tunnel on river right makes a curious sight.

4.7

Class III+ rapid, formerly class IV- because of a large rock in the center channel, apparently moved by high water; possibly scout or portage on the right bank.

5

A double pipeline crosses the river.

5.1

Fun class III and III+ rapids continue for another few miles, commonly involving exciting ledge drops. Most have short pools in between.

Boats stack up above a ledge drop	Frank aces a different ledge drop

7.5

Class IV-
At the end of this section is a very long class IV- rapid, which begins at a left curve. At higher flows, eddy out on the left. If you decide to portage, the easiest alternative is to get out here and portage on the left. Rock walls are very close to the river, so at high water, portaging might require climbing onto the slope above.

 

Following the initial drops, there is a small eddy on the right, but it is just above a 5' drop on the right, and ferrying across the current to catch the easier left-side drop isn't totally easy, so maybe it's best to ignore the eddy.

 

After the falls, the water flows through three channels. The two right channels used to be completely blocked by two large strainers, but Mark Twitchell reports they were gone in 2003. Following this, the rapid continues through two more smaller drops.

Above the steep drop of the class IV rapid	Note the rocky hydraulic along the far bank
Sneaking the steepest drop on river left	Note strainer blocking 2 channels of final drop

7.7

After this rapids ease somewhat, and there is a beautiful spring-fed mini-falls on the right (probably drinkable, but purify to be sure).

A volcanic shelf makes for good scenery	Canyon walls are deeper here than upstream

8

Less intense class II and III- rapids continue for a few miles until a huge horseshoe bend. Below that, Spring Branch Creek comes in on the left, and rapids further ease to class I and II. Evidence of cattle grazing becomes increasingly evident as the rock walls fade away.

11

Powerlines can be glimpsed ahead.

11.5

An artificial-looking waterfalls with lots of water (perhaps overflow from Coleman Forebay) comes in on the right. Shortly below, powerlines cross the river, and tubes of a power generation station can be seen. These diversions add 200-300 cfs to the gauged flow.

12

Recommended take-out at a creekside parking area, now managed by BLM since exchange of land in 2000.

12.1

Caution: Low-head diversion dam, which often can be safely run on the far left, but which is most easily portaged on the right.

Running river left side of diversion dam	Drowning machine at Coleman Fish Hatchery

13

In another mile you reach a take-out with distant parking at Coleman Fish Hatchery. There is a small creek on the right, about 20 feet up this creek is apparently the easiest place to take out to avoid the hazard below. It should be noted that the Fish Hatchery is open until 5:30 PM. Cars left in the parking lot beyond this time could possibly be locked in! Take a tour around the grounds during your visit and have a look at the huge fish that used to spawn in rivers and creeks up and down California's Central Valley, which now must be bred artificially in tanks.

13.1

Hazard! The fish ladder at Coleman Fish Hatchery includes a two-tier concrete diversion dam with drowning-machine reversal below. Do not go near the edge! This structure has caused fatalities.

To reach put-in from there, return to Ash Creek Road, turn right and go uphill, turn right on Wildcat Rd, bear right at a junction, then descend and cross the North Fork of Battle Creek. You could put in there, or continue to the South Fork ahead. Do not be fooled by the Delorme Atlas, as we were: Spring Branch Road appears to be a viable shuttle route on the south side of Battle Creek, but it is rough dirt and has a stream crossing. The AAA Feather/Yuba Region map is recommended.

Upstream the South Fork contains a good class IV-V run, described here. Nearby Antelope Creek offers a more scenic wilderness run lasting one or two days, described here.

Old-timers say that higher runs on the North Fork of Battle Creek (thru Eagle Canyon) have generated many horror stories of portage fests. Not having read that sentence, three of my friends attempted this stretch, only to abandon their boats due to portaging and impending darkness. The south wall was sheer, so while jumping across moving water to climb the north side cliff, Boris broke his foot. They finally retrieved their boats several weekends later. About 3.3 miles below the Rock Creek Road bridge, near Digger Creek, the North Fork drops into a deep lava canyon with many undercuts and steeper gradient. A long portage (on the right?) is necessary here. Eagle Canyon dam is at mile 3.6, Wildcat Dam is at mile 6.6, and total distance to Wildcat Road bridge is 7.9 miles, with gradient 150 100 170 230 150 50 130 120 fpm. New-timer Boris Trgovcich concludes “it is a great run for those who do not mind spending half a day portaging; rock climbing skills are a prerequisite.”

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